Expiring farm bill extended again while negotiations continue
By Ellyn Ferguson
Press-Gazette Washington bureau
WASHINGTON -- Current farm programs, which were scheduled to expire in September, got another extension this week after Congress voted to give House and Senate negotiators until April 18 to produce a new multi-year farm bill.
But President Bush, who signed the extension today, said it should be the last one.
"
If a final agreement is not reached by April 18, I call on Congress to extend current law for at least one year," Bush said before he signed legislation granting more time.
The president said with spring fast approaching the agriculture community needs stability.
"Without a predictable policy, agriculture producers will be unable to make sound business decisions with respect to this year's crop," Bush said.
The House and Senate passed separate versions last year and have been trying to produce a compromise Bush won't veto and one that farmers and agribusiness, nutrition advocates and environmentalists will support.
Negotiators are trying to reach agreement on a price tag for the bill, income limits for direct payments to farmers, the scope of conservation programs caps and a permanent disaster relief fund.
Jerry Meyers, a pig farmer in Pittsville, said he'd like a new farm bill that resolves a lengthy dispute over mandatory country of origin labeling for U.S. meat. Supporters like Meyer say a "grown in the USA" label will give them an advantage with domestic buyers as well as customers overseas. Critics such as the meatpacking industry say the required record-keeping would boost costs for livestock producers and consumers.
"It has been delayed for six years. I want people to know what country their food is coming from," Meyers said.
Mike Weller, who raises hogs and grows corn and soybean in Plain, Wis., said he's concerned about the slow pace of negotiations. The stop gap extensions provide some stability but it is hard to do long-range planning when a final farm bill could make major changes in some programs.
"The biggest issue is the confusion about what a lack of a farm bill means," Weller said.
Contact Ellyn Ferguson at
[email protected]